Your columnist has often been accused of bias and favouritism when it comes to the Mount Allison Mounties football program. This criticism has come from such prominent individuals as retired Telegraph-Journal managing editor Howie Trainor, Times and Transcript sports editor Ed St. Pierre and even by my wife Norma.
This is understandable as I have been closely involved with the team since its formation in 1955 and, at times, it has been close to impossible to find positives to report upon.
In the early days, from 1955 to 1962, the team was competitive and exciting; but for the next 15 years it was tough going.
Changes began to develop in the late 1970s and continued on a fairly high plain through the 1990s but nose-dived in 2000 and it has been a struggle to survive since then.
A swinging door array of coaches has not been helpful but some fine support from former university president Ken Ozmon was the shot in the arm needed to arouse the alumni.
Current coach Kelly Jeffrey inherited some fine talent from outgoing coach Steve LaLonde and has been busy for the past couple of years shaking the bushes across the country.
Having predicted improvements each season, we have also been accused of naivete but there is a genuine sense of optimism as 80 hopefuls gear up for the pre-season training camp that got underway on Saturday and continues through until the home opener on Sept. 11.
The first live scrimmage will be held this Saturday and everybody is invited to take it in and make their predictions for the season. Practices will be held daily at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and fans have an open invitation to attend.
A number of events have taken place to bring the sense of optimism.
First, the return of Callan Exeter from Pickering, Ont., gives the defensive unit a legitimate all-Canadian at safety. In 2008, Exeter led the nation in tackles with 77 and established a new conference record with 16 in one game.
He took a year off from school and says he badly missed the game as he watched his friends compete in 2010
"I return with a humbleness that I never had before," he told this writer. "Now I have goals - to help this team return to winning and to earn a degree."
Exeter has 77 solo tackles during his highlight second season but says with a stronger front seven he would sacrifice all that in exchange for a few interceptions.
And Jeffrey expects even better things from his all-Canadian, saying he will have a much-improved perspective after spending a year on the sidelines.
Another bonus has been the return of strong half Jeremy Snider of Halifax for his fifth and final year of eligibility.
His return, along with that of Exeter, reunites the tough secondary that includes Jermaine Oram, Brad Daye and Dorchester's Tyler Nadodny.
Jeffrey points out that even though the unit is back intact, it does not guarantee a starting position for any, noting that John Senman and Mitch Cormier have both improved dramatically. This provides some depth in case of any injuries while it is believed at least one rookie is ready to step in.
Since the graduation of Scott Sheffer, the defensive line has been a work in progress. But this season, the Mounties will have the biggest man at tackle ever to play here. At 6'6" and 360 pounds, Jonathan Abril from Abbotsford, B.C. should fill a huge hole and provide coverage for middle linebacker Ben Halpern. Abril has played junior ball and is a little older than many recruits.
"His name was passed to us, we followed up and it turned out that Mount Allison was a good fit for a young man looking to continue his education in a small university," says Jeffrey, who feels the line may be much stronger.
At the moment, it looks as through returnee Ryan Downe, who led the team in quarterback sacks, and Akwasi Antwi, who led the league in tackles, will be the bookends. Jeffrey highly regards Mario Basque, at 285, and 275-pound Alex Healy who have worked hard during the off-season.
Yet another bonus has been the arrival of Alonzo Howell, a 220-pound running back from San Diego, Cal. Somewhat reminscent of T. J. Williams, but quicker, he is expected to be in a rotation of Matt Pickett, who finished third in conference rushing statistics in 2009.
Naturally the other giant plus for the Mounties has been the return for a fifth campaign by multi all-Canadian Gary Ross, who is easily the premiere player in the Atlantic Conference.
Offensively, he is a one-man show and he guarantees good field position as opposing teams keep the ball away from him by short kicking or aiming punts out of bounds while he is the top returner in the nation.
And the return to health of Jared King is another plus as he missed nearly all of last year with a knee injury. Not only is King a fine receiver but an outstanding special teams player.
So, in the face of criticism and second guessing, we would have to consider the Mounties in fine shape, perhaps the best since the turn of the century.
On both sides of the ball, the team appears to be solid and Jeffrey feels his offense should be able to put 25 points on the boards in any game and thus it will be up to incoming defensive coordinator Scott Annand to weld a defense that will permit some victories to be brought home.
